Wildfires in Iberia and a dramatic Tour twist grip headlines this week: Pogacar’s lead faces illness; Vingegaard crashes; stage wins reshape standings.
Wildfires in Spain near Madrid and in southwestern France near Bordeaux have triggered a national emergency in Spain and an EU response. Authorities say high winds and heat are driving fires, forcing mass evacuations and testing firefighting resources across Europe.
The London Marathon will be staged over two days in 2027 to enable 100,000 runners to participate, doubling ballot chances and boosting charity income and the UK economy. The plan, backed by the mayor and multiple stakeholders, will preserve the traditional route from Greenwich to Westminster while highlighting a world-first city-wide celebration.
Froome has confirmed retirement after a career defined by four Tour de France titles and Grand Tour success, with a dramatic crash in 2019 and subsequent struggles ending his competitive career following injuries sustained in August 2025. He leaves as one of cycling’s most decorated riders, with seven Grand Tours won.
A set of articles from Politico, France 24, The Economist and The Economist assess America’s global role, governance, and economic power. They describe a widening accountability gap at home, with implications for allies and the world, as the US faces internal and external challenges.
The collection of articles shows a global reckoning with U.S. governance, accountability, and leadership. The pieces present a divided view of America’s role, its staying power, and how allies and rivals perceive its trajectory as it marks a milestone anniversary.
Wildfires in Spain, Portugal, and Greece are intensifying heat across Europe as the Tour de France moves through France from Spain. Officials say the blaze mobilizes large firefighting efforts and will affect race logistics; heatwaves persist, with temperatures forcing evacuations and high risk of more fires.
A European heatwave has intensified, with records shattered across multiple countries. New analyses attribute a substantial share of heat-related deaths to human-caused climate change, while authorities warn of ongoing health and infrastructure pressures as temperatures stay high.
Since mid-July, a series of fast-moving wildfires has scorched large areas of France and Spain, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee. French authorities have mobilised soldiers, masks and international firefighting aircraft as flames approach Bordeaux and fires burn near Paris, the Var and Fontainebleau. Extreme heat and drought have fuelled unusually early, violent fires.
Søren Waerenskjf8ld has won stage 11 in a sprint into Nevers, edging Olav Kooij and Milan Fretin as Pogacar extends his overall lead. The race featured a chaotic sprint, crashes, and radio problems for several riders, while Uno-X Mobility's Waerenskjjold claims a landmark victory.
Kontinental sprinters deliver a fast, chaotic stage as Uno-X’s Waerenskjold edges Kooij and Philipsen for the stage victory in Nevers; Pogacar maintains the overall lead as the Tour advances toward Belfort with two mountain finishes looming.
Nocturnal anti-doping tests have unsettled riders ahead of Stage 15 as Vingegaard crashes out and Pogacar relies on late checks. ITA and UCI defend the probes while critics call for balanced rest and fairness.
Pogacar has a commanding lead entering the final mountain tests, but Stage 18 has seen Brandon McNulty withdraw and illness spread within UAE Team Emirates, raising concerns for the rest of the race as Alpe d’Huez looms.
The Tour de France final stage has been shortened to 89km and moved within Paris due to wildfires in southwestern France. Emergency services have been redeployed to fight the blazes, with a later finish time and staged circuits through the Champs-Élysées and Montmartre. Pogacar is defending his title, while the race's path is altered for safety.